-Chapter 1-

It started slowly. Quinn stopped spitting insults. People stopped tossing slushies at Rachel because they knew they would have to endure the wrath of Quinn, the hormonally charged ex-cheerleader who was capable of ripping them apart not only socially but possibly physically as well. Despite this, Quinn got no further in her quest to get closer to Rachel. It was a month before they spoke to each other again and it wasn't even a conversation they were having alone. It was merely Quinn suggesting the glee club go out for pizza after rehearsal one afternoon and Rachel stating she had dance practice.

Quinn decided she had to try harder. So, a week after suggesting pizza, she followed Rachel out of the choir room after practice and through the halls of McKinley High. The blonde knew something wasn't right when Rachel didn't head for the front door, or her locker, or even a bathroom. She just made circles around the hallways going up and down stairs as if she were lost. Quinn started becoming agitated and tired, her ankles were sore and she was out of breath when they went up the same two flights of stairs for the third time. Finally, Rachel ducked into an empty classroom. Quinn followed her and peeked around the doorway to see Rachel sitting on the teacher's desk staring at her.

"I could report you for stalking or harassment, you know?"

Quinn stepped inside the classroom. She fidgeted with her hands and the hem of her shirt and sighed.

"But," Rachel said, "you are obviously determined to talk to me and since I've tired you out enough to where I know you can't outrun me should I decide to leave at any point in the conversation, you may proceed."

"I was…I was just wondering if you'd thought about what I told you."

"What would you think about, Quinn? Over a year of slushie to the face and being insulted not only in person but through vicious comments on MySpace, or two minutes of confession?"

"Well you…you're always so positive…"

"None of the aforementioned experiences are ones I would consider positive."

It stung. Rachel's words stung and they stung deep.

"I'm trying, Rachel."

"I see that but the fact is I'm not interested."

"Would you be if I'd never done anything horrible to you? If I'd never thrown a slushie or insulted you…could you love me?"

"I prefer not to focus on the 'what ifs' of life."

"Please, Rachel! Give me something!" Quinn begged.

Rachel hopped off the desk and walked up to Quinn, mere inches separated their bodies. Rachel held onto Quinn's bare forearm with one hand and looked up at the cheerleader.

"Perhaps we can try to be friends."

"I don't want to just be your friend…"

"I'm aware of that but it's either that or nothing."

"P-please Rachel…just…like…just a kiss? That's all I want." The offer sounded strange, even to Quinn, but she was sure that maybe just a kiss would either get her to move on or possibly make Rachel feel something.

Rachel stepped back and sighed. She stared at the floor in thought for a few moments before stepping forward again.

"If you absolutely insist then this is my offer. I will kiss you and it will be the only time, Quinn. After this, you move on. We'll never speak of it to each other or anyone else, ever. It will happen, I will leave, and you will move on."

Tears cascaded down Quinn's cheeks and she nodded. She closed her eyes and she felt Rachel's breath on her lips for a moment before the strawberry flavored lips of the singer pressed against her own. Quinn's hand settled on Rachel's hip and she held on tight for those brief seconds where the world ceased to exist and it was just her and Rachel Berry. When Rachel pulled away Quinn still held on tight and her eyes remained shut.

"Please don't go," the cheerleader whispered. "Stay with me, Rachel. I'll do anything…Please stay with me…" she pleaded as if Rachel was about to slip away into nothing.

Rachel stepped back and Quinn heard shuffling then footsteps. She heard Rachel stop at the door and her shoes squeaked when she turned back slightly.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Quinn."

When Quinn opened her eyes and turned around Rachel was gone. She got to the classroom door in just enough time to see the brunette round the corner of the hallway.